Justice Ranjan Gogoi takes stock of Silchar Central Jail

A Correspondent

Silchar, June 9: Justice Ranjan Gogoi of Supreme Court of India along with Ajit Singh, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Arup Kumar Goswami attended a mega legal aid camp organized under the aegis of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Cachar held at Netaji Mancha in the premises of Assam University, Silchar on Saturday. The camp is the fourth of its kind in the state. The camp enabled people to know about laws and rights. Various line departments of the government put forth proposals for their future projects. A number of handicapped persons were handed over supporting materials or helping aids.

A number of poor and needy persons from all corners visited the stalls which were set up for providing free legal aids and advices. Justice Ranjan Gogoi visited the stalls which were installed in the Varsity premises. Justice Ranjan Gogoi along with Chief Justice Ajit Singh, Justice Sumon Shyam and Justice Arup Goswami, arrived in Silchar on Friday. They were warmly greeted by the District Bar Association (DBA), Silchar. DBA also felicitated Justice Gogoi. He also inaugurated the video conference hall of Silchar Central Jail, while inquiring about the condition of the prisoners, the food served to them and also the condition of the kitchen of the jail.

The prisoners welcomed Justice Gogoi and others by rendering a number of patriotic songs. A few prisoners were also felicitated at the programme. Justice Gogoi also inquired about the jail legal aid clinic and discussed various issues with the clinic counselor Pankaj Kanti Dey. He also took note of the infrastructure of Silchar Central Jail. At present, there are 614 prisoners in the jail. In his address at the DBA, Justice Gogoi threw light on the need and importance of judges being objective, impartial, honest and truthful. He said that the District Bar Associations of Jorhat, Guwahati and Silchar are doing a tremendous job and playing a vital role in the law related affairs of the state.

Justice Gogoi further said that there are 6000 vacant posts of judges across the district courts of the country. In Barak Valley, there are 7 vacant posts. He laid emphasis on filling up the posts as soon as possible. In his speech, Niladri Roy, secretary, DBA, Silchar, chronicled the history of District Bar Association, Silchar.